Valentine’s Scavenger Hunt to Find the Ways I Love You

I have been wanting to do a Valentine’s scavenger hunt for a long, long time… probably since last Valentine’s Day! I wasn’t sure how exactly I wanted to do it, but I had ideas floating around in my head.

I told the boys the night before that we were going to do this Valentine’s scavenger hunt. George was so excited in the morning that he wanted to do it right away.

I’ve been trying to get them to play more outside lately, so this was my ticket. In order for me to set up the scavenger hunt, they would need to head outside and play first in the morning. They ended up going for a walk with Dad and I had some time to get this ready.

To set up this Valentine’s scavenger hunt:

I cut out lots and lots, and lots more hearts. I cut out about 30 for each of the kids, each kid got a different color.

The number of hearts depends on the number of days until Valentine’s Day. I also cut out extra to do a bigger hunt on this day. They ended up having 8 hearts to find for this particular hunt, but the scavenger hunt will go on every day until Valentine’s Day.

The kids can cut out the hearts too if you want to include them in on the setup. See the pretty heart garland they cut and made last year.

On each of the hearts I wrote something I love about each of the boys. Henry had the purple color, George the light pink and Louis had the bright pink. I actually didn’t end up writing any on Louis’s because he can’t read them and wouldn’t appreciate it much yet anyway. His were kept blank.

We used 3 hearts as directions for our Valentine’s scavenger hunt.

The first “direction” heart was the beginning of the scavenger hunt that they would find when they got back home:

On the back of Henry’s starting heart, I wrote extra directions since he is the only one that can read.

It asked him to read his brothers’ hearts to them so they’d know what to do, as well as the ways I love them. I also wrote to tell him that there would be 8 hearts to find today, and 1 heart each day until Valentine’s Day.

Then another heart gave them directions to hang the hearts they find on their bedroom door. A fun way to see the reasons I love them so much!

And the last direction on a heart said that when they spot someone else’s heart to not let them know about it. Let them find it!

Of course, these were hidden, so the directions weren’t followed from the start. But that’s okay. I meant for them to follow this for the additional days until Valentine’s Day more than this initial scavenger hunt.

And then they came home!

It was excitement from the start!

Henry was in before the other boys and read his right away.

George and Louis gathered around him as they came inside too. And then they were off to find their 8 hearts!

They were so excited to read the ways I love them.

I even got extra hugs and kisses when they found the hearts that said I love their hugs and kisses.

Reader Interactions

27 Comments

I LOVE LOVE LOVE THIS !!! Tonight I will cut out all the hearts and will plan for my six year old daughter to do this with me tomorrow !! – I love doing these type of things !! So creative .. It will be fun for kids to hunt for the hearts and I am in love with telling my daughter how much I love her and what i love and adore about her !! Such an important part of being a parent – The little ones need to feel loved and when it is told in such a cute specific way …makes them flourish!!! Wonderful!!!!!

This is awesome. Before I stayed home with my 3 boys I taught preschool and am now constantly looking for new great ideas to do with my boys that can bring them together during play! This is a great idea to make them all feel special. My boys are 9, 2.5 years and 10mnths. They are also very energetic and happiest when on the go, go, go. Thank you for your website!!!

I love this idea. What a sweet way to let your kids know how you feel about them and celebrate valentines as a family. I will definitely be doing this with my kids this year thanks so much for sharing the idea!

What Parents Have to Say…

There's always something new for us to discover, as well as old favorites. I am so grateful to have activities handed to us... Fun and easy ones that can be put together in a moment's notice! You're awesome Jamie and I appreciate you sharing your activities and ideas!! - Melissa C.

I feel like a new mama having so many fun ideas. I used to dread the afternoon, after naps, as it was so boring doing the same thing day after day but now I look forward to our "play" time!- Haley S.

You have changed how I spend time with my kid in so many positive ways! I am now one happy dad that no longer wonders what I am going to do with this little guy for the next 12 hours :P Your site was this first time dad life saver! - Jack C.

It is hard to think of things to keep the 3 year old entertained and engaged while taking care of the baby. Everything we have tried so far from your website, the three year old has loved. Your ideas are so simple and he can do them for hours. HEAVEN!- Karen I.

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